Coping with crisis

HELPING OTHERS IN THE WAKE OF DISASTER, EMERGENCIES

In times of distress, finding an avenue to make a difference in your community can be a cathartic and connective experience. When accidents, disasters and unexpected events happen, many nonprofit organizations search for solutions that provide safety and security for the people they serve. For residents that want to assist others in experiencing challenges and emergencies, here are some options to consider.

Donate to disaster relief organizations or community emergency funds. In response to a restaurant fire in 2008, Southwest Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado established the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERT). Of the $1.4 million in donations received since March 2020, $1.2 million in grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations, while $178,024 went toward administration and investments.

First Southwest Community Fund in partnership with First Southwest Bank helps entrepreneurs and small business owners to access capital needed to launch a business or expand its services. Now in its seventh year, First Southwest Community Fund offers 10 loan programs and two grant programs. In 2021, the organization donated $160,626 to over 70 organizations. Learn how to donate at www.fswcf.org. The nonprofit organization LOR Foundation, located in Cortez, supports many projects with long-term impacts in the communities it serves. LOR Foundation begins by engaging with residents that have ideas for improvements that make a community more resilient, and the team provides assistance to help others turn those ideas into actions. See examples of the community’s success stories and how to donate online at www.lorfoundation. org/stories.

Learn basic disaster response skills, such as CPR and fire safety. Many health and safety groups offer free training and workshops to help others prepare for and respond to emergencies. Mastering these skills can be an excellent introduction to serving the community through other organizations, such as the local fire department or search and rescue teams. However, keep in mind that these positions do require commitment to training as well. Volunteer firefighters respond to various medical emergencies, automatic fire alarms and structure fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous material spills, wildland fires and technical rescues. Volunteers must live within the response district. They must have a Colorado driver’s license and high school diploma. Reach out to your local fire station to see how you can get involved. Search and rescue teams in La Plata and Montezuma county both provide necessary equipment, training and resources to volunteers that wish to assist with public safety operations in backcountry and technical landscapes. Even without these skills, residents can purchase a CORSAR card to help fund the organization.

Give blood. Blood is essential for helping victims survive and recover. Though organizations can provide supplies and funding, blood is not something that is always readily available. Statistics from the American Red Cross indicate that only 3% of age-eligible donors give each year. Donating blood can help someone in need, and save lives. To learn more about blood drives in your region, visit www.vitalant.org.